Classic Coed Beauties

Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde

The verdict is in: Few have flaunted their brains and beauty as well as Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. From her golden ringlets and sparkly lips to her perfectly manicured nails, she’s the sexiest smarty-pants on the cinematic campus—and we love her for it. We’d suggest dialing down the sparkle for daytime, but if you’re looking for instant-impact beauty inspiration, look no further than Elle Woods.

Ali MacGraw, Love Story

When it comes to dreamy college sweethearts, few can hold a candle to Ali MacGraw in 1970’s Love Story. In her role as a smitten Radcliff music star, MacGraw wore a center-part ‘do, long, straight locks and minimal makeup, which were almost as memorable as her tear-jerking performance. Apparently, love means never having to use a boar-bristle brush and blow-dryer.

Daphne Zuniga, The Sure Thing

Best known for her roles in Family Ties and Melrose Place, Daphne Zuniga played a perfectionist in the ’80s college classic. And, with faintly blushed cheeks and pin-straight locks with not a strand out of place, a very pretty one at that. (Love the blazer-sweater combo—a total DO for fall!)

Sanaa Lathan, Love & Basketball

Sporting a simple, sexy ponytail while scoring big both on and off the court, Love & Basketball’s Sanaa Lathan reminded us that it is possible to be a gorgeous jock.

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Julia Stiles, Mona Lisa Smile

In their role as ’50s Wellesley art-history students, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Julia Stiles showed off their stellar sense of color by sporting crimson lips and peach blush with the era’s standard-issue pearls and pastels.

Tyra Banks, Higher Learning

Long before showcasing her savvy on America’s Next Top Model and the Tyra Show, the model-turned-actress played a thoughtful Columbia student in Higher Learning. With a head-turning tutor like Tyra Banks—who sported a pretty shoulder-length cut with face-framing layers—it’s no wonder Omar Epps had trouble focusing on school.

Moira Kelly, With Honors

With her blunt-cut bob, high-contrast makeup and matte mauve lipstick, Moira Kelly epitomized the serious ’90s babe, paving the way for other future Harvard girls, like…

Minnie Driver, Good Will Hunting

Minnie Driver perfected the Ivy League bookworm look: Whether she was hitting the bar or the books, Driver sported a simple pony and slicked-on clear lip gloss and let her sharp wit win over Mensa members like Will Hunting. How do you like them apples?

Barbra Streisand, The Way We Were

Thanks to the film’s all-important flashback scenes, Barbra Streisand’s curly hair and dramatic eye shadow made her the most glamorous, hardworking campus activist in cinematic history.